Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

6-2015

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

Source ISSN

0893-164X

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1037/adb0000034

Abstract

Research consistently demonstrates that sexual minority status is associated with increased risk of problematic substance use. Existing literature in this area has focused on group-specific minority stress factors (e.g., victimization and internalized heterosexism). However, no known research has tested the incremental validity of personality traits as predictors of substance use beyond identified group-specific risk factors. A sample of 704 sexual minority adults was recruited nationally from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning community organizations and social networking Web sites and asked to complete an online survey containing measures of personality, sexual minority stress, and substance use. Hierarchical regression models were constructed to test the incremental predictive validity of five-factor model personality traits over and above known sexual minority risk factors. Consistent with hypotheses, extraversion and conscientiousness were associated with drug and alcohol use after accounting for minority stress factors, and all factors except agreeableness were associated with substance use at the bivariate level of analysis. Future research should seek to better understand the role of normal personality structures and processes conferring risk for substance use among sexual minorities.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Vol. 29, No. 2 (June 2015): 414-419. DOI. © 2015 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

"This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record."

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